Driven by separatist motives, the Democratic Progressive Party authorities' obstruction of cross-Strait exchanges and persecution of compatriots in Taiwan run counter to public will and will only draw opposition and condemnation from the people, a mainland spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

Zhang Han, the newly appointed spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, condemned the DPP authorities' separatist stance at her first news conference, saying that "'Taiwan independence' leads to a dead end, while reunification is the prevailing trend".

Zhang, who also heads the office's bureau responsible for Taiwan-related affairs involving the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, made the remarks in response to a recent speech by island leader Lai Ching-te at a military event on the island, in which he said Taiwan should "use strength to guard peace".

"We hope compatriots in Taiwan clearly recognize the sinister nature and grave harm of 'Taiwan independence', firmly oppose separatist activities and actively take part in the just cause of advancing national reunification," Zhang said.

According to reports, Taiwan's "mainland affairs council" has recently tightened trip reporting requirements for "civil servants" traveling to the mainland and to Hong Kong and Macao, and plans to introduce a random inspection system.

Zhang criticized the DPP authorities for continuing to obstruct exchanges between the two sides of the Strait, as well as between Taiwan and Hong Kong and Macao, describing such actions as a form of "green terror".

She also responded to the authorities' recent revocation of the household registration and residency of a mainland-born woman married to a Taiwan resident for her comments supporting reunification.

"The DPP authorities are abusing their power by fabricating charges and persecuting communities of mainland-born spouses," Zhang said, adding that even associations organizing hometown visits and family reunion activities are being accused of "united front infiltration".

Calling these acts "egregious", Zhang said the DPP authorities' so-called pursuit of "freedom and democracy" amounts to nothing more than "green terror". The party's actions show that "those who follow them prosper, while those who oppose them perish".

Zhang emphasized that the mainland will show no leniency toward "Taiwan independence" accomplices who persecute mainland-born spouses in Taiwan and will hold them legally accountable.

On Oct 28, police in Chongqing announced the launch of a criminal investigation into Shen Pao-yang, a "Taiwan independence" separatist listed by the mainland. In response, Taiwan's security authorities announced plans to strengthen protection for individuals and enterprises named on the mainland's list, and to investigate "organizations and individuals on the island who cooperate with the mainland in reporting or sanctioning these targets".

Zhang condemned the DPP authorities for abusing public power for private interests, persecuting pro-unification and patriotic groups, and intimidating the people of Taiwan.

lishangyi@chinadaily.com.cn